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Looking for the best home upgrades that offer exceptional return on investment? Enhancing your home’s exterior not only improves curb appeal but can significantly increase property value. However, concerns about tariffs have some homeowners thinking twice about the cost of exterior remodeling. We hear you, and we’re here to help!
The good news? In 2025, the return on investment for roofing, windows, siding, and doors bring a big bang for your buck. In fact, it’s some of the highest that we’ve seen!
Plus, homeowners can take advantage of available tax credits, significant energy savings (save up to 100% on your energy bills by installing a solar roof), seasonal promotions, and attractive 0% financing options to make these valuable improvements more affordable than ever. From modern home upgrades to essential exterior renovations, here’s a comprehensive guide to the most valuable home improvements for New England homeowners.
Top Home Improvement Investments in 2025
- 236.2% – Steel Entry Doors
- 153.2% – Manufactured Stone Veneer
- 121% – Fiber Cement Siding
- 118.3% – Vinyl Siding
- 97.7% – Fiberglass Grand Entry Door
- 85.8% – Vinyl Windows
- 56.9% – Asphalt Roof
- 48.3% – Metal Roofing
Worst Home Improvement Investments in 2025
- 23.9% – Upscale Primary Suite Addition
- 32.6% – Upscale Bathroom Addition
- 34.7% – Midrange Bathroom Addition
- 38.0% – Upscale Major Kitchen Remodel
- 42.5% – HVAC Conversion (Fossil Fuel to Electric Heat Pump)
- 45.1% – Upscale Bathroom Remodel
Steel Entry Doors – 236.2%
Steel entry doors are the star of the show for the 2024 Cost vs Value report! Coming in at the top, a new steel entry door will give you an eye-popping 236.2% return on investment.
These doors are one of New England’s smartest exterior upgrades, delivering unbeatable durability, energy efficiency, and style in a single investment. Homeowners are making the switch to steel doors for several compelling reasons:
- Built tough to withstand extreme weather, including high winds, heavy rains, and blistering sun.
- Provides superior security and peace of mind thanks to reinforced cores and impact-resistant construction.
- Offers exceptional energy efficiency with foam-filled insulation, helping to regulate indoor temperatures and reduce utility bills.
- Low-maintenance and long-lasting—steel doors resist warping, rotting, and cracking, unlike wood.
- Available in a wide variety of styles and colors to match homes of every era, from Colonial and Cape Cod to Modern Farmhouse and Craftsman.
- Delivers a high return on investment, often recouping over 100% of its cost in increased home value and curb appeal.
- Backed by long-term warranty options and built from recyclable materials, making it a smart choice for sustainability-focused homeowners.
Fiberglass Grand Entry Door for Enhanced Curb Appeal – 97.7%
Fiberglass front doors are in the spotlight with a 97.7% return on investment. While this is a smaller-scale upgrade compared to new siding, new entry doors make a statement on New England homes while protecting your family and even increasing home value.
Experience the best value and return on investment with doors that offer:
- A polyurethane foam core brings excellent insulation that helps reduce heat transfer indoors and outdoors.
- Minimal upkeep with resistance to warping, rotting, and rusting. Unlike wooden doors, they do not need regular painting or staining to maintain their appearance and durability. This saves homeowners both time and money on maintenance expenses.
- Highly resistant to the elements, including harsh New England winters, and can withstand extreme temperature fluctuations. Their long-lasting performance means homeowners can save on potential repair and replacement costs.
- Choose from a huge assortment of colors for your new door. You can have your door in any color from the Sherwin-Williams catalog!
- Enhance your home security with Impact-Shield and a 20-gauge kick plate for storm protection and burglary deterrence.
- Energy efficient front door options are maintenance-free and designed to lower energy bills with foam-filled cores.
- Enjoy ProVia fiberglass entry door installation in your New England home from Coastal Windows & Exteriors.
Homeowners benefit from excellent energy efficiency with a durable, non-warping threshold and increased durability from corrosion-resistant rollers and heavy-duty hinges. For custom doors Massachusetts homeowners love, choose from various colors, styles, and decorative options for a personalized touch.
Fiberglass Entry Door Transformations by Coastal Windows & Exteriors
Are you looking for inspiration to overhaul your entry door? With a 97.7% return on investment, this is a wise upgrade for any New England homeowner. See the difference this entry door made for this home, making for a lighter, modern farmhouse color palette.
Manufactured Stone Veneer – 153.2%
Manufactured stone veneer brings the beauty of real stone to your home—without the weight, hassle, or time-consuming installation. For 2025, this siding product comes in second place for top return on investment at 153.2%! New England homeowners love this upgrade for its stunning realism and modern-day advantages:
- Evolve Stone is recognized as the most realistic stone veneer available, adding texture and depth to any exterior or interior wall.
- Installs up to 10X faster than traditional stone, using common tools and simple face-nailing techniques.
- Won’t trap moisture like other products, helping to protect the structural integrity of your home.
- Durable enough to resist breakage during shipping and install, yet light enough for one-person handling.
- No need for grade beams, engineered tie-backs, or heavy staging, making the job quicker and easier.
- Installs under standard vinyl siding guidelines, making it a flexible upgrade for both accent areas and full facades.
See Manufactured Stone Veneer Upgrades by Coastal Windows & Exteriors
Fiber Cement Siding – 121%: One of the Best Home Upgrades for ROI
Imagine installing a new house siding that’s durable, long-lasting, and the most beneficial for return on investment. It’s possible with fiber cement siding like James Hardie.
James Hardie is one of New England’s most popular siding options, made from some natural components, including sand and cellulose fibers. In addition to its incredible return on investment, homeowners are upgrading to Hardie® for reasons such as:
- Serves as a suit of armor against hurricanes, rain storms, strong winds, extreme heat, UV rays, humidity, snow, hail, freezing temperatures, and more.
- Hardie® complements architectures of all types, including Contemporary, Cape Cod, Ranch, Cottage, and Mid-Century Modern.
- Low-maintenance exterior–perfect for those with a high curb appeal standard.
- ColorPlus® Technology finishes offer superior UV resistance to protect against fading.
- Hardie® is made to last. The product has a 30-year non-prorated limited warranty, and ColorPlus Technology® finishes have color warranties that offer 15 years of protection.
- Made with renewable resources
See Coastal’s Hardie® Home Transformations
With a return on investment of 121%, you might wonder about the style opportunities in store for your home. Aside from seeing your home for free in 3D with Hover technology, you can take a look at our customer portfolios with Hardie® home transformations:
- James Hardie Siding Installation in Beverly, MA
- James Hardie Siding Installation in York, ME
- James Hardie Siding Installation in Lebanon, ME
- Vinyl Siding Installation in Pelham, MA
Coastal Windows & Exteriors is a James Hardie Elite contractor, James Hardie President’s Club Award Winner, and James Hardie Service Excellence Award Winner. We carry James Hardie products with over 30 colors and numerous profiles, including the popular Statement Collection. Choose us for your fiber cement siding upgrade, bringing the quality and joy of James Hardie to every New England home. When considering home exterior upgrades, Hardie board installation contractors like us provide exceptional quality and service.
Vinyl Siding – 118.3%: Impressive Home Exterior Upgrades
Another incredibly impressive home upgrade for return on investment is vinyl siding. However, keep in mind that not all vinyl siding is created equal. There are varying ranges of quality, which directly impact the siding’s appearance and performance.
Key indicators of quality vinyl siding include durability, energy efficiency, UV resistance, and consistent color throughout. Quality vinyl siding installation by vinyl siding contractors in my area can bring you benefits such as:
- There are no maintenance expenses for sanding or staining.
- Eliminates the need for repainting wood siding, which can cost up to $12,000.
- Homeowners usually need to repaint wood siding every five years, raising the lifetime cost of maintaining wood siding.
- While a paint job isn’t permanent, ChromaTrue technology maintains vinyl’s vibrant colors while looking fresh for many years.
- Installing insulated vinyl siding and house wrap can reduce your energy bills by up to 11%.
- Complements nearly all New England home styles.
Vinyl Siding Home Transformations by Coastal Windows & Exteriors
Coming with a sky-high return on investment and transformative curb appeal, it’s no wonder why so many homeowners choose exterior home remodeling ideas that include quality vinyl siding. See some of the most impressive and exciting exterior home upgrades in our featured portfolios below:
- Vinyl Siding Installation in Pelham, MA
- Vinyl Siding Installation in Saco, ME
- Vinyl Siding Rockingham, NH
We have over two dozen color options and many profiles, such as vinyl cedar shakes and scallops. As trusted vinyl siding contractor experts certified by the Vinyl Siding Institute, our siding installation can improve home performance and resale value.
Asphalt Roof – 56.9%: Durable Home Exterior Upgrades
Crafted from high-quality materials, asphalt roofs offer a lot for your investment. GAF asphalt shingles are designed to endure extreme weather conditions, including heavy snow, rain, and wind, ensuring your home is protected year-round.
These shingles have advanced coatings that resist fading and algae growth, maintaining their fresh, attractive appearance over time. GAF asphalt roofs provide superior defense against the elements, combining robust performance with aesthetic versatility. As an energy-efficient roofing system, you can enjoy a comfortable home without the stress of leaks or mold growth.
With new asphalt roof installation from a GAF certified roofer, you can experience and enjoy:
- Durable Shingles: The first line of defense against the elements, protecting from rain, snow, and wind to keep your home safe and secure.
- Energy Efficiency: Lifetime shingles help maintain consistent attic temperatures, reducing the strain on your HVAC system and lowering utility bills.
- Roof Deck Protection: An additional layer that seals the home’s envelope, preventing water infiltration that can cause roof failure and higher energy bills.
- Improved Insulation: Quality roof deck protection prevents excess water damage to attic insulation, maintaining its effectiveness and energy efficiency.
- Proper Ventilation: Essential for energy efficiency, adequate roof ventilation keeps the attic close to outdoor temperatures, reducing HVAC workload and preventing ice dams in winter.
- Balanced Airflow: Intake and outtake vents ensure proper air circulation, preventing attic overheating in summer and maintaining roof integrity during winter.
- Optimal Ventilation Ratio: Attic ventilation and airflow prevent issues like high energy bills or ice dams during the winter.
Asphalt Roofing Before and After
A new asphalt roof can make a major difference to your home. If you are looking for some ideas on making an impact on curb appeal and home performance, take a look at some of our previous residential roofing projects:
Metal Roofing – 48.3%: Modern Home Upgrades
Metal roofing is also one of the best investments you can make for your home–and they’re a great way to make a statement on your curb appeal. Made from high-quality materials, metal roofs are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, including heavy snow, rain, and wind, ensuring long-lasting protection for your home.
The metal panels are coated with advanced finishes that resist fading, rust, and corrosion for added peace of mind. This is key to maintaining their vibrant appearance for decades. It’s the ultimate defense against Mother Nature! When you work with a local roofing contractor specializing in metal roofing, you’ll enjoy these benefits:
- Exceptional Durability: High-quality metal roofs are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, including heavy snow, rain, and wind, ensuring long-lasting protection for your home.
- Energy Efficiency: Metal roofing reflects solar heat, keeping your home cooler in the summer and reducing cooling costs.
- Low Maintenance: Metal roofs resist fading, rust, and corrosion, maintaining their vibrant appearance with minimal upkeep.
- Enhanced Curb Appeal: Available in various colors, metal roofing can give your home a modern, sophisticated look. Metal roofs give you a unique appearance for your home’s curb appeal!
- Eco-Friendly: Often made from recycled materials, metal roofs are fully recyclable at the end of their lifespan, making them an environmentally friendly choice.
- Fire Resistance: Metal roofing is non-combustible and provides superior fire protection for your home.
- Lightweight: This roofing material is lighter than many other roofing materials, reducing the load on your home’s structure.
- Long Lifespan: Metal roofs can last 50 years or more, providing a cost-effective and reliable roofing solution.
- Excellent Weather Performance: Coated with advanced finishes, metal roofs resist harsh weather conditions and maintain their integrity and appearance for decades.
Free Estimate: Improve Your Home’s Value with the Best Home Upgrades from Coastal Windows & Exteriors
When you want to improve your home’s value, performance, and beauty, count on Coastal Windows & Exteriors. We offer superior exterior remodeling services, bringing you the best home upgrades with incredible customer feedback. As an award-winning exterior remodeling company, see our great Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. Expect the best service with customer satisfaction as our top priority!
Homeowners can also use a home equity loan to finance their remodeling projects and invest in these best home upgrades that will provide lasting value and performance for years to come.
